Recent publications

This study was designed to explore the nature and features of cannabis festivals, characteristics of festival participants, and reasons for attendance. A field study in two European cities (Amsterdam and Berlin) included participant observation at the festivals, interviews with local organizers, and a survey among festival attendees (n = 728). Both festivals had common features, but also showed distinct differences. At both festivals, nine out of 10 participants were current, often daily cannabis users. Participants were mainly young adults (mean = 26.2 years), but younger in Berlin than in Amsterdam. Common reasons for festival attendance were “protest/activism” and “entertainment.” Protest/activism was more likely in Berlin, among daily cannabis users, and participants aged 25+ years. Entertainment was more likely in Amsterdam, among non-daily cannabis users, and participants younger than 25 years. Although similar in political aim, cannabis festivals are characterized by distinctive local features, as well as differences in attendee profile and reasons for festival participation. Findings suggest that the latter differences are driven by differences in cannabis policy, with a stronger tendency towards protest/activism in countries with a less liberal, or more restrictive, cannabis policy. Future research should include more countries, representing a wider variation in cannabis policies.

Skliamis, K. & Korf, D.J. (forth.). An Exploratory Study of Cannabis Festivals and Their Attendees in Two European Cities: Amsterdam and Berlin. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 00(0): 1-9.

By tradition, the human trafficking discourse focuses on cross-border sex trafficking from impoverished countries to countries with a high standard of living. This article explores whether identified trafficking in the Netherlands corresponds to this. We introduce a model that identifies all possible trafficking situations, and with this, intends to prevent tunnel vision and identify blind spots. Subsequently, we analyze 768 trafficking cases identified by the Dutch Public Prosecution Service (2008-2012) and categorize each case according to our model: by form of exploitation and route of trafficking. The data show that (near-)domestic sex trafficking where victims are not pushed out of impoverished countries, but are recruited on native (or neighboring) soil, is the human trafficking situation most commonly identified.

Aims: To evaluate the consequences of criminalising khat, with a focus on the changes in law enforcement and the use, availability, price and quality of khat in the Netherlands. Methods: Mixed methods, including law enforcement data, expert interviews, focus group interviews with members of the Somali community, and a survey among 168 current (last month) khat users. Findings: Soon after the law changed (early in 2013), and khat had become an illicit drug, much of the khat imported from Africa was confiscated at Schiphol International Airport and users found it more difficult to obtain fresh khat leaves. About two years after the ban had been implemented, the price of fresh khat at user lavel had increased tenfold on average, and much of it was of poorer quality (e.g. sold in dried or powdered form). Conclusion: Criminalisation of khat in the Netherlands had substantial consequences for the distribution chain (transcontinental import by air) and there was a lach of alternative transportation routes that could supply users with fresh khat. It is highly likely that the total number of Somali khat users in the Netherlands dropped, but that the proportion of dependent and poor, "problem users" increased.

In Antenna 2016, trends in the Amsterdam nightlife and the related developments in substance use are described by means of a panel study among trendsetters and a survey among students in secondary vocational schools or colleges.
Tabacco, alcohol and cannabis are the substances most commonly used by vocational students, in addition to energy drinks. The use of ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamine and 4-FA is a lot less prevalent. For almost all substances holds that the older the vocational students are, the larger the group of current users.
Laughing gas is popular among varying groups of young people and young adults. In the case of the vocational students, there is hardly any difference between gender, age or ethnic background in laughing gas use.
Overall, it seems that substance use among the trendsetters is stabilizing in recent years, although with the arrival and the popularity of 4-FA and laughing gas, the drug palette has been further expanded.
[DUTCH PUBLICATION WITH ENGLISH SUMMARY]